Fountain



May 9, 1967 T. D. WILLIAMS 3,318,528

FOUNTA I N Fi led Feb l, 1965 2 Shes ts-Shee t l /NVE/VTDE TU DO I2. D. W I LLIAMS May 9, 1967 T. D. WILLIAMS FOUNTAIN 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. l, 1965 mmm@ gums F/G. S

/M/E/WUQ TUDOQDWILL-IAMS 5y K f ATTOR/VEY United States Patent O 3,318,528 FOUNTAIN Tudor D. Williams, 12127 Laurel Terrace, Studio City, Calif. 91604 Filed Feb. 1, 1965, Ser. No. 429,444 4 Claims. (Cl. 239-17) This invention relates to fountains and more particularly to a novel .and versatile water fountain which may be readily connected with the water return line of a pool water filtering system.

The use of water fountains in connection with swimming pools, reflecting ponds and the like is of considerable interest for decorative and artistic purposes. Water fountains are playing a starring role in traditionally appealing aspects of landscape design and it has been found desirable to construct such water fountains so that they are practical to manufacture and install as well as aesthetically pleasing.

Ditiiculties have been encountered when employing conventional decorative water fountains for pond and pool use which stem largely from the fact that conventional fountains are not adapted to be readily installed into a pond or swimming pool. Generally, a pump, motor and valving separate from the pool tiltering system are required and furthermore, connections between the fountain and a source of water under pressure generally requires elaborate hardware or complex plumbing. Such conventional connections do not permit accessibility and convenience either for purposes of initial ins-tallation or for repair and maintenance.

Accordingly, the present invention obviates the diiiiculties encountered with conventional water fountains which provides a Water fountain that operates in conjunction with the pool water filtering system and which is easily installed and eliminates the necessity for complex plumbing. The fountain may either be rigidly attached to the water return plumbing of the filtering system or the fountain may be supported by a float and connected to the plumbing by means of a transparent flexible hose or tubing. The height of the spray attachment of the water fountain may be easily adjusted or set and the fountain may readily accommodate a plurality of spray or cap heads as well as accommodate the mounting and supporting of distinctly different abstract sculptures.

To conveniently install the water fountain of the present invention to a filter system for a pool, a novel connection means is provided which incorporates wedge ttings adapted to be lpress fitted into an assembly with the system return line so that complex valving and expensive hardware is avoided.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel pool fountain which is readily connectable to a pool lfiltering system such that operation of the fountain works in conjunction with the waterreturn portion of the filtering system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel pool fountain which may readily accommodate a choice of spray heads or caps wherein such spray heads may be curved or straight and wherein the height of the spray head may be readily adjusted to meet with a desired artistic form.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel pool fountain which may either be rigidly attached to a pool water filtering system or which may be iioated on the pool water and movably attached to the f filter system by means of a exible transparent tubing or hose.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a pool fountain having wedge ttings or connectors for coupling into the water return line of a filtering system used for filtering the water of a pool.

3,318,528 Patented May 9, 1967 ICC Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel pool fountain which may readily mount and support a choice of Sculptured figurines wherein such figurines may either be rigidly supported on the fountain in conjunction with the side wall of a pool or which may be conveniently mounted on a float supported fountain on the water surface of the pool and iiexibly attached to the water filtering system for the pool.

The features of the present invention which are believed to lbe novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational View of a water fountain in accordance with the present invention coupled into a pool water filtering system wherein the pool construction is shown in section;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the water fountain shown in FIGURE l taken in the direction of arrows 2 2;

FIGURE 3 is a top view of the water fountain of FIGURE -2 taken in the direction of arrows l3 3;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of a connector portion of the water fountain of FIGURE 2 taken in the direction of arrows 4 4;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of a modified water fountain connector portion similar to that shown in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of another modification of a wa-ter fountain connector portion such as is shown in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of still another modification of a connector portion;

FIGURE 8 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a water fountain incorporating the present invention showing the portion of the invention modified to accommodate the mounting of a statue or figurine;

FIGURE 9 is a side elevational View, partly in section, of another embodiment of the present invention illustra-ting a floating water fountain;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged elevational view, partly in section of the water fountain illustrated in FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged sectional view of a fountain head incorporated into the embodiment shown in FIGURE 10; and

FIGURE 12 is a top view of the foun-tain head shown in FIGURE 11 taken in the direction of arrows i12-12.

Referring now to FIGURE l, a pool shell 10 is shown having a bottom 11 and upright wall 12 terminating in a coping 13. The pool shell is employed to hold a quantity of water 14 which is suitably connected in cornmunication with a recirculating water iilter system 15. Filter system 15 may be any suitable system which includes a conventional motor, pump, filter and interconnecting plumbing. Filter system 15 is shown including `a water return line 16 which returns water under pressure to the pool afer it has been filtered by the system 15. Line 16 terminates through the side Wall of the pool `construction at a location beneath the pool coping in the form of a receptacle 17.

A water fountain, shown in the general direction of arrow 18, is shown mounted in the receptacle 17 which includes a wedged connector or nipple 20 and a upright tube 21 formed at a right angle to the central axis of the nipple 20. As shown more clearly in FIGURES 2 3, a rigid tube 22 is threadably `carried on one end of the upright tube 21 and its opposite end is employed to a semi-circular spray head 23. The spray head is closed at its opposite end by means of caps 24 and 25, respectively. A plurality of holes or apertures, such as hole 26 is provided in the spray head through which water passes under pressure. The plurality of apertures or holes serve as water jets so that when water, under pressure from the filter system via tubes 21 and 22, is forced through the plurality of apertures, the water spray of particular artistic form is achieved. It is to be noted that the arrangement of the plurality of holes is such that the holes are formed on the outer radius of the semicircular head so that the direction of the water spray is towards the center of the pool and away from the adjacent coping and decking.

Referring in detail to FIGURE 2, it is seen that the tube 22 carrying the spray head may be threadably `connected to the threaded bore of tube 21 lalong its entire length. Therefore, the height of the spray head may be easily arranged or adjusted by rotating the head and the tube 22 into or out of the mounting tube 21. It is also to be noted that the height adjustment for the spray head may be accommodated by providing a tapered end to the spray head support tube 22 so that the tube may be force fitted into the bore of the mounting tube 21. A longitudinal slot (not shown) may also be employed to more easily accommodate a press fit between the two tubes so that the spray head may be adjusted for height -above the surface of the water as desired.

FIGURE 4 illustrates a wedge connector in the direction of arrow 30 suitable for mounting the fountain to the receptacle 17 and into communication with the return water line of the filtering system so that water under pressure is supplied to the spray head 23. The

Vhollow connector nipple 30 is shown to comprise a plurality of ribs, such as annular rib 31 which oers -an annular peripheral edge intended to bite into the inner bore Wall of the receptacle to form or .provide a positive connection. To facilitate the installation of the fountain into the receptacle, the nipple is tapered from its maximum diameter located at an end 32 of the nipple through to a greatly reduced outer diameter at its opposite free end 33 of the nipple. The plurality of ribs comprise a conical spiral which takes the form of a buttress type thread. The threads may be said to be sym- Y metrical inasmuch as the threads are provided with equal flank angles. The buttress thread form has been found particularly useful for high stresses in one direction only and with a minimum of bursting or expansion pressure. Forward of the top edge of each thread ridge and extending down to the root, a flank angle of approximately 7 is provided on the thrust side which is practically nonslip for most metal to metal combinations.

Because of this tapered arrangement of ribs, exact measurement or mating of the nipple with the receptacle need not be known before installation. Installation only requires that the nipple be forced into the receptacle'until one, or more, -of the lannular ribs bites into Vthe -receptacle to make connection. When such engagement or -attachment has been made, proper fit and alignment is automatically achieved and retention of the mounting tube 21 within the receptacle assured.

Referring to FIGURE 5, a modified hollow connector nipple 34 is shown which is of constant diameter throughout its length and which includes a plurality of ridges, such as ridge 35, provided on the external sur- -face of the nipple. Preferably, the ridges orY ribs are of a diameter which is identical to the bore of the receptacle 17 into which the nipple is received. Thereby, all of the ridges in the plurality Will bite into the receptacle bore wall to form an assembly with the receptacle. However, in the event that the diameter of the nipple is substantially Y less than the diameter of the receptacle bore, a separate tapered sleeve wedge 36 having an internal bore 37 slightly smaller than the diameter of the nipple ridges may be in serted over the nipple and held in place by the plurality of ridges. After this sub-assembly has been achieved, in-

stallation may be accomplished by inserting the sleeve.' 75

wedge 36 into the receptacle so that its tapered outer external surface forms an interference fit with the bore of the receptacle.

Referring to FIGURE 6, another modification of a Water fountain nipple 40 is shown which provides for a smooth tapered surface `41 which may be readily received into the bore of the receptacle whereby -a press fit will retain the Water fountain mounting tube 21 attached to the receptacle. Limits of size of the nipple ,and receptacle are so prescribed that mating of these parts assures that an interference always results in an assembly.

Referring to FIGURE 7, another modification of a connector nipple 42 is shown which may be termed a Y tapered barbed wedge which includes a plurality of serrations 43 which are used for fixed position fastening within the bore of the receptacle 17. The serrations -provide a plurality of straight sided annular teeth.

Referring now to FIGURE 8, a modification to the water fountain as shown in FIGURE l is illustrated which includes an elongated support tube 45 which includes the connector nipple 30 extending at right angle to the tube 45 as illustrated in FIGURE 4, press fitted into the receptable 17. The supporting tube is curved outwardly from the side wall 12 of the pool 10 and is provided with the semi-circular spray head 23 as shown in FIGURE 3. To illustrate the fiexibility, usage, and wide application of the present water fountain, a Sculptured dolphin 46 is shown mounted on the supporting tube 45 in such a fashion that the spray head 23 of the fountain expels through the mouth of the figurine. Althrough the supporting tube 45 will in mostk instances suf- -lice to support Sculptured or artistic figurines which are relatively light in Weight, for particularly heavy sculptures, it may be preferred to include a supporting member 47 for particularly heavy sculptures which extends from the sculpture into the side wall 12 of the pool beneath the coping 13 thereof. It is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited by any particular shape or size of sculpture but that many distinctly different abstract or normal sculptures may be readily accommodated and mounted by means of the water fountain of the present invention.

With reference to FIGURE 9, another form of the present invention is shown which includes a floating water fountain illustrated in the general direction of arrow 50. The fountain is floated by means ofV a fioat 51 supported on the surface of water 14 contained within the circular side wall 12 of the pool. The water is recirculated through the filter system 15 which includes the return line 16 having a receptacle 17 mounted in the side wall of the pool. The water fountain 50 is coupledto the receptacle and thereby the water return line by means of flexible transparent hose 52 which has one end provided with a connector nipple 20, such as shown'in FIGURE 4, which is force fitted into an assembly with the receptacle. The other end of the hose is detachably connected to a similar type fitting 53 provided on the bottom of the fountain. By employing a floating type water fountain, greater flexibility in artistic and decorative design possibilities are afforded such as for example the double spray arrangement shown in FIGURES 9 and 10.

As shown in FIGURE 10, the oat 51'includesVv an annular tapered peripheral side 54 yand a main body portion 55 formed with a concave recess 56 on the bottom thereof and a Iconcave recess 57 of smaller radius in the upper side thereof. Extending through the central axis*V of the fioat, there is provided a tube member 58 which head 62 carried thereon. The spherical spray head includes a plurality of holes or apertures, such as apertures 63, which are employed for expelling a water spray which is supplied via the hose and tube member 58.

To further perfect the decorative and artistic appeal of the present invention, a support tube 64 is suitably mounted on the apex of the spherical spray head 62 which extends or projects upright to terminate in with an arcuate spray cap 65 illustrated in detail in FIGURES 11 and 12. The support tube 64 as well as the spherical spray head may lbe employed for supporting and mounting a Sculptured statue or figurine such as a large lish 66 illustrated in FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 11 illustrates the spray cap 65 employed on the free end of the support tube 64 in the embodiment of FIGURE which is provided with a top arcuate openingy 66 through which water conducted from the supporting tube 64 expels to form an arcuate water spray. The cap may be threadably secured to the end of the support tube as illustrated or, in the event height adjustment is desired, a telescoping tube arrangement such as illustrated with respect to the spray head shown in FIGURE 2 may be employed.

Actual operation of the present invention will be described with reference to the embodiment shown in FG- URE 1 wherein pool 10 is provided with a water iiltering system 15 communicating with the pool via return line 16 through the side wall 12. The upright mounting tube 21 having a tapered wedge connector 20 extending at a right angle thereto is forcibly urged or pressed into the receptacle 17 coupling the mounting tube to the return line 16 into an assembly. The annular ribs 31 of the Wedge connector bite into the inner bore receptacle 17 to form an assembly therewith. The spray head 23 for the fountain is threadably engaged with the bore of the mounting tube 21 via the threaded tube 22. Rotation of tube 21 may continue to adjust the height of the spray head with respect to the surface of the water 14 and the decking.

Water under pressure from the filter system is supplied through the return line 16 to the tubes 21 and 22 of the fountain and to spray head 23. The water under pressure is then forced through the plurality of apertures 26 to provide a spray of desired conguration.

Actual operation of the oating fountain 5@ illustrated in FIGURE 9 is similar to the operation associated with the embodiment of FIGURE 1 wherein the rigid tubes 21 and 22 are eliminated by substituting therefor a ilexible transparent hose 52 which joins the return line 16. Float 51 maintains the fountain on the surface of the water 14 While bulb 60 stabilizes the fountain in an upright position. Water under pressure applied by the filtering system is supplied to the spray head 52 and to the spray cap 65 via supporting tube 64 and tube member 58 having concentric bores in communication with the hose 62.

Various other modifications are contemplated by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination:

a swimming pool;

a recirculating filter system for said pool including a water return line through which filtered water from said pool is returned to the pool, said return line extending through the sidewall of said pool below the normal water level in said pool and having an open end exposed at the inner side of said wall below said normal water level through which said liltered water -normally discharges into said pool; and

an ornamental fountain including a water conduit, a fitting on one end of said conduit press-fitted in said open end of said return line, the opposite end of said conduit being located above said normal water level, and a spray head on said opposite end of said conduit.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein:

said conduit comprises a rigid, generally L-shaped pipe including a generally horizontal leg mounting said fitting and upright leg mounting said spray head and extending upwardly along the inner side of said pool sidewall to a position above said normal water level; and

said fitting including means 'frictionally engageable with the inner wall of said return line for restraining said conduit against axial separation from said return line and rotation relative to said return line.

3. The combination according to claim 2 including:

means anchoring said upright conduit leg to said pool side wall above said return line.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein:

said conduit comprises a iiexible hose; and

a float mounted on said conduit adjacent said opposite end thereof for buoyantly supporting said opposite conduit end on the surface of the pool water with said spray head located -above said surface.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 402,553 5/1889 Babcock 239-17 1,798,884 3/1931 Hyatt 2858 1,837,732 12/1931 Stabler 239-18 2,248,386 7/1941 Richardson Z39-17 2,249,338 7/ 1941 Young 239-600 3,151,811 10/1964 Hruby 239-17 FOREIGN PATENTS 693,235 8/1964 Canada.

2,778 10/ 1862 Great Britain.

EVERETT W. KIRBY, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION: A SWIMMING POOL; A RECIRCULATING FILTER SYSTEM FOR SAID POOL INCLUDING A WATER RETURN LINE THROUGH WHICH FILTERED WATER FROM SAID POOL IS RETURNED TO THE POOL, SAID RETURN LINE EXTENDING THROUGH THE SIDEWALL OF SAID POOL BELOW THE NORMAL WATER LEVEL IN SAID POOL AND HAVING AN OPEN END EXPOSED AT THE INNER SIDE OF SAID WALL BELOW SAID NORMAL WATER LEVEL THROUGH WHICH SAID FILTERED WATER NORMALLY DISCHARGES INTO SAID POOL; AND AN ORNAMENTAL FOUNTAIN INCLUDING A WATER CONDUIT, A FITTING ON ONE END OF SAID CONDUIT PRESS-FITTED IN SAID OPEN END OF SAID RETURN LINE, THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID CONDUIT BEING LOCATED ABOVE SAID NORMAL WATER LEVEL, AND A SPRAY HEAD ON SAID OPPOSITE END OF SAID CONDUIT. 